Oregon Ducks 2010 NCAAF Preview, Schedule, Odds, and Predictions: Head football coach Chip Kelly’s first season with the Oregon Ducks was a tremendous success as they surged past USC and won the Pac 10 to go to the Rose Bowl, a feat the Ducks haven’t done since 1994. The team rebounded from the season opening punch on national TV by LeGarrette Blount at Boise State that gave the Ducks a black eye to playing a thrilling brand of offensive football and the bid to the Rose Bowl. The Ducks lost 26-17 to the Ohio State Buckeyes and then the trouble began.
A robbery at a frat house by quarterback Jeremiah Masoli got him a suspension for this season and his eventual transfer, running back LaMichael James was arrested for domestic violence with a past girlfiend, leading to him getting suspended for one game, and linebacker Kiko Alonso is out for the year after a DUI. That’s the bad news. The good news is that they are back on the field with 17 returning starters and certainly enough talent to compete for another PAC 12 title and a BCS Bowl Berth. “To get back out on the field, run around and coach, that’s the fun part of the job,” Coach Kelly says. Vegas odds makers have the Oregon Ducks +3000 odds to win the 2011 BCS National Championship.
Offensively filling the role quarterback Jeremiah Masoli leaves behind is the team’s biggest question mark. Senior Nate Costa and soph Darron Thomas are the main players vying to start behind center with the edge going to Costa, who has a strong armed and experience but 3 knee surgeries. “We have enough playmakers at the other spots that the quarterback of this offense does not have to be the focal point,” Kelly says. “He has to be like the point guard in basketball, distributing the ball to the right guys at the right time.” Lighting fast running back James will miss the opener but looks to duplicate last year’s Pac-10 freshman record of 1,546 rushing yards. The odds makers at Diamond have the Oregon Ducks +150 to win the PAC 12 Conference.
The defense is highlighted by veteran linebacking corps led by seniors Casey Matthews and Spencer Paysinger. The Ducks moved full time starting outside linebacker Eddie Pleasants to Safety. “We’re trying to get our fastest, best players on the field,” defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti says in explaining the move. The odds makers at Diamond have the Oregon Ducks middle number listed at over/under 9 wins for the 2010 NCAAF regular season.
Head coach Chip Kelly proved he is one of the elite in the country last year and despite the off season troubles the Ducks will be formidable again. I predict a 10 win regular season, PAC 12 Championship and trip to the Rose Bowl back to back as the Ducks fly south to Pasadena in January.
2010 Oregon Ducks Football Schedule
Sat, Sept 4 vs New Mexico 3:30 PM ET
Sat, Sept 11 @ Tennessee 7:00 PM ET
Sat, Sept 18 vs Portland State TBD
Sat, Sept 25 @ Arizona State 10:30 PM ET
Sat, Oct 2 vs Stanford 11:15 PM ET
Sat, Oct 9 @ Washington State TBD
Thu, Oct 21 vs UCLA 9:00 PM ET
Sat, Oct 30 @ #14 USC 8:00 PM ET
Sat, Nov 6 vs Washington TBD
Sat, Nov 13 @ California TBD
Fri, Nov 26 vs Arizona 7:00 PM ET
Sat, Dec 4 @ #24 Oregon State TBD